Tacumwah: Chief Richardville’s mother

A second article about Tacumwah by Carmen Doyle

Wallace Brice, in his 1868 History of Fort Wayne gives a detailed account of how Jean-Baptiste Richardville became chief of the Miami Indians:

“A white man had been captured and brought in by the warriors. A council had been convened, in which the question of his fate arose in debate and was soon settled. He was to be burned at the stake, and the braves and the villagers generally were soon gathered about the scene of torture, making the very air to resound with their vociferations and triumphant shouts of pleasure and gratification of the prospect of soon enjoying another hour of fiendish merriment at the expense of a poor, miserable victim of torture. Already the man was lashed to the stake, and the torch that was to ignite the combustible material placed about the same and the victim of torture, was in the hands of the brave appointed to create the flame that was soon to consume the victim of their cruelty. But the spirit of rescue was at hand. The man was destined to be saved from the terrible fate that surrounded him!

Young Richardville had for some time been singled out as the future chief of the tribe, and his heroic mother (Tacumwah) saw in this a propitious and glorious moment for the assertion of his chieftainship, by an act of great daring and bravery, in the rescue of the prisoner at the stake. All eyes were now fixed upon the captive. Young Richardville and his mother were some distance from the general scene, but sufficiently near to see the movements of the actors in the tragedy about to be enacted, and could plainly hear the coarse ejaculations and mingled shouts of triumph of the crowd. At that moment, just as the torch was about to be applied to the bark, as if touched by some angelic impulse of love and pity for the poor captive, the mother of young Richardville placed a knife in her son’s hand, and bade him assert his chieftainship by the rescue of the prisoner. The magnetic force of the mother seemed to have convulsed and inspired the young warrior, and he quickly bounded away to the scene, broke through the wild crowd, cut the cords that bound the man, and bid him be free! All was astonishment and surprise; and though by no means pleased at the loss of their prize, yet the young man, their favorite, for his heroic and daring conduct, was at once esteemed a god by the crowd, and then and thereafter became a chief of the first distinction and honor in the tribe!”

While the dramatic account,which seems designed to be told around a campfire, appears to be about Richardville, the real power is with his mother Tacumwah. She is the one who puts the knife in Richardville’s hand and she is the one who tells him to cut the prisoner free. Tacumwah is also the one who takes care of the former prisoner. She gets the rescued man into a boat and sent to some friendly Indians.

Tacumwah was the major influence on her son. She controlled the portage, a miles long strip of land connecting the Maumee and Wabash rivers. The portage was a profitable one, making her, and later Richardville, wealthy. She retained control of the portage despite a disagreement with Chief Richardville’s father. The Bicentennial Heritage Trail tells how Tacumwah was “the most important woman among the Miami people during the time of the wars between the United States and the Native Americans of the region. Tacumwah was an outstanding businesswoman.”

She was also intelligent. Henry Hay, in his journal from 1790, conveys that Richardville was “very bashful” and never spoke in council- “his mother who is very clever is obliged to do it for him.” Hay also mentions she ran a trading post, and he later purchases a horse from her.

Although Tacumwah is usually only mentioned because of her son being Chief, it is obvious from what Hay and Brice said that she was an important person in her own right, not just as the mother of a powerful man.

Sources:

Wallace A. Brice, History of Fort Wayne, 1868

Fort Wayne Bicentennial Heritage Trail Guide Map  (Site 51)

Henry Hay, Journal from Detroit to the Miami River, 1790

Tacumwah- an 18th century People Magazine story

by Carmen Doyle

If gossip magazines had been around in the 18^th century, Tacumwah would likely have been one of the “celebrities” whose every move was followed carefully. Tacumwah was the daughter of an Indian chief and the sister of two chiefs---Pacanne and Little Turtle. Tacumwah and Pacanne had the same father while Little Turtle and Tacumwah had the same mother. This meant she was an important Miami woman.

One reason for her importance was the fact that she and Pacanne traditionally owned and controlled the Long Portage, an eight mile strip of land between the St. Mary’s and Wabash Rivers. This joined two water systems “thereby completing a pathway for commerce that extended from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.”(from The History Center’s website) A portage was a place where the pirogues and the goods traders had in them were carried from one river to the next. Tacumwah and Pacanne charged a fee to carry travelers and their goods from one river to the next. This was extremely profitable. Tacumwah had also inherited money from her mother so she was very wealthy.

           

Many of the traders were French fur traders. Tacumwah married one of them, Joseph Richardville. Together they had four children including Jean-Baptiste Richardville (Peshewa, the future Chief Richardville). Joseph Richardville also had children by other women, but this wasn’t considered a problem. In 1773, after nearly a decade of marriage, all the Richardville children and Tacumwah were baptized as Roman Catholic. Tacumwah became Marie-Louisa.

           

The marriage did not survive another year.

The British, authorities in the region because they had the largest military presence, did not fully trust Joseph Richardville. However, he allied himself in business with the Masionville brothers, who had been loyal to the British for decades. The British did not fully trust the Maisonvilles either (because they were French), but Alexis Maisonville had saved the lives of British officers during an Indian rebellion. The British did not fully trust the Native Americans either.

The British thought the Maisonvilles would be better in charge of the portage than the Miami, but did not want to give the brothers complete authority over it. What the British wanted was for the Maisonvilles to maintain the area around the portage, but actual control over the portage was still given to the Miami, and it was the Miami who made money from the portage.

The Maisonvilles, with help from Joseph Richardville, eventually grew tired of merely managing the portage, and decided they wanted complete control over it as well as the profits. They created a “protection racket” to physically prevent Pacanne and Tacumwah from carrying goods. Richardville wanted the money from the portage and the money outweighed any loyalty he had to Tacumwah and their children. In the ensuing argument, he hit Tacumwah, and she left him, taking refuge with Charles Beaubien, a business rival of her husband.

           

A large scandal resulted. Tacumwah refused to return to her husband and asked Beaubien to retrieve her things from the house she had shared with Richardville. He threatened to kill both Tacumwah and Beaubien. Beaubien responded by causing property damage. Armed, he knocked down Richardville’s garden fence and shouted threats of violence towards the man.

           

The ensuing court case was heard by a British officer from Detroit. A British officer from Detroit hearing a divorce case involving a Native American woman and her French husband gives an idea of how complicated politics were at the time. The real reason a British officer heard the case came down to money. The big issue was which group should maintain control of the profitable and militarily significant portage-the French or the Miami.

             

The divorce was spiteful. Pacanne accused his sister’s spouse of being lazy and failing to provide for his family. Pacanne claimed that Richardville had provided for his sister and her family, by only giving her skins which she traded for rum. The rum was then sold and the money used to buy needed supplies. It wasn’t unusual for a Miami man to sit around while his wife worked but British standards considered a husband not providing for his family unacceptable. Pacanne, speaking for his sister, invoked British standards in order to win the case and retain control of the portage.

           

Richardville denied that he and Tacumwah were married and attempted to play the victim. He complained about being threatened by Beaubien and Pacanne. According to Miami customs, once Tacumwah left him, the marriage was over. However, Richardville used British customs to try and claim Tacumwah’s wealth, both from the portage and money she had inherited, and money she had made trading the rum and skins.

           

The British in 1774 were divided between reliance on the French settlers and traders and the Indians in the region. The dilemma then became which group to keep happy in this divorce case: the Miami or the French. The reliance on the Miami proved stronger and the British Captain Lernoult decided in favor of Tacumwah. The Miami would retain control of the portage. To make the Miami even happier, Lernoult took away management of the portage from the Maisonvilles and gave it to Beaubien, the man with whom Tacumwah had taken refuge.

           

Tacumwah did not speak during the proceedings. Despite her status and intelligence, she left behind no words of her own. Her biggest legacy was her son, Jean-Baptiste Richardville, who became Chief Richardville. Chief Richardville inherited the portage from Tacumwah and she was the person who helped him become chief.

           

Although Tacumwah is best remembered as a mother, it is worth remembering that she was an important person in her own right.

Sources:

Birzer, Bradley J. French Imperial remnants on the middle ground: The strange case of August de la Balme and Charles Beaubien. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Summer 2000.

History Center website www.fwhistorycenter.com

Marrero, Karen. "'She is Capable of Doing a Good Deal of Mischief': A Miami Woman's Threat to Empire in the Eighteenth-Century Ohio Valley". Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History Volume 6, Number 3, Winter 2005.

Allen County and Its Diversity of Manufacturing

We talked to a number of people on Saturday during Taste of the Arts about our new exhibition gallery and the inventions that were created and produced here in Fort Wayne. For many of us who didn’t grow up here (and for many who did), the list is rather amazing. THAT was created in Fort Wayne? Really? Here?

When Allen County Innovation opens in late September, you’ll be able to see for yourself. In the meantime, just for the fun of it, we’re providing a partial list of some of the items in our collection that pertain to manufacturing in Allen County and the name of the company that produced or used  the item for marketing. Look at the diversity of manufacturing that came about in our city and county.

Item	Company
Spool Wire	Aerometal
Sign, Trade	Aurentz Chocolate
Sign, Trade	Baker Cigar Co.
Can, Beer	Berghoff Brewing Co.
Bottle, Beer	Berghoff Brewing Co.
Screwdriver, Ratchet	Bowser, J. C. & Co.
Pump, Fuel	Bowser, S. F. & Co.
Bottle	Brames & Ehrman
Bottle	Brames, L. & Co.
Can	Burdsal-Haffner Paint Co.
Television	Capehart Farnsworth Co.
Television	Capehart-Farnsworth Corp.
Radio	Capehart-Farnsworth Corp.
Radio-Phonograph	Capehart-Farnsworth Corp.
Bottle, Beer	Centlivre Brewing Co.
Box, Candy	Columbia's Fine Chocolate
Radio	Continental Radio Corp.
Box, Cigar	Cooney Cigar Co.
Bottle, Pop	Crystal Bottling Works
Book, Ledger	Davis and Brother, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Bait	Dickens Bait Company
Box, Bait	Dickens Bait Company
Lure	Dickens Bait Company
Spool, Wire	Dudlo Mfg. Co.
Wire, Radio	Dudlo Mfg. Co.
Ornament, Christmas Tree	Dudlo Mfg. Co.
Sales Sample, Tinsel	Dudlo Mfg. Co.
Spool, Wire	Dudlo Mfg. Co.
Package, Wire Spool	Dudlo Mfg. Co.
Box, Cigar	Eckert, J. C.
Spool, Wire	Essex
Radio	Everyhome Radio Co.
Bottle	F. Hake & Co. Works
Pipe	Falcon Pipes
Pipe, Bowl	Falcon Pipes
Pouch	Falcon Pipes
Can	Falstaff
Television	Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp.
Tube, Vacuum	Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp.
Tube, Electron	Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp.
Radio-Phonograph	Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp.
Radio	Farnsworth Television & Radio Corp.
Bottle, Pop	Felger, D. C. Bottling Works
Dental Floss	Flossrite Corporation
Bottle	Fort Wayne Bottling Works
Rule, Folding	Fort Wayne Brick Co.
Plaque	Fort Wayne Cement Stone Co.
Commutator Dresser	Fort Wayne Electric Co.
Fan, Electric	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Paperweight	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Ammeter	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Transformer, Bell	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Electrometer	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Fan, Electric	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Rheostat	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Transformer	Fort Wayne Electric Works
Wire, Recording	Fort Wayne Metals
Puzzle	Fort Wayne Paper Box Co.
Tin	Fred Eckart Packing Co.
Bottle	Fremion, J.  F.
Fan, Electric	General Electric
Club, Golf	General Electric
Motor, Electric	General Electric
Engine, Diesel	General Electric
Chopper, Food	Griscer
Bottle	Haines, H. H.
Bottle	Hake, F. & Co.
Hat, Top	Harper & Fitz
Violin	Heath, Oren V.
Wrapper, Candy	Heit-Miller-Lau Co.
Box, Candy	Heit-Miller-Lau Co.
Tin	Heit-Miller-Lau Co.
Box	Hermans Ice Cream Co.
Sack	Hermans Ice Cream Co.
Crate, Shipping	Hires Root Beer
Brick	Hoagland Brick and Tile Co.
Keg, Beer	Hoff-Brau Brewing Corp.
Fork, Clothes	Home Specialty Co.
Can	Hoosier Paint Works
Planter, Hand	Horton Manufacturing Co.
Machine, Washing	Horton Manufacturing Co.
Mangle	Horton Manufacturing Co.
Sprinkler Head	Huth Machine Shop
Fan	Imperial Adv. Co.
Tube, Vacuum	ITT
Tube, Electron	ITT
Blouse	Julliard Gowns, Fort Wayne
Skirt	Julliard Gowns, Fort Wayne
Form, Glove	Killfish Mfg. Co.
Bottle	Kline & Baker Bottling Works
Rod, Fishing	Kruse, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Eggbeater	Kunkle and Bostick
Bottle	Laurent, J. H. & Son
Tin	Laurents & Hartshorn Packing Co.
Bottle	Lenz Bros. Bottling Co.
Painting	Loomis, Andrew
Reamer, Juice	Magnavox
Radio	Magnavox
Projector, Film Strip	Magnavox
Television	Magnavox
Television-Radio-Phonograph	Magnavox
Radio-Phonograph	Magnavox
Phonograph	Magnavox
Speaker	Magnavox
Microphone	Magnavox
Speaker	Magnavox
Box, Control	Magnavox
Capacitor, Electrolytic	Magnavox
Transceiver	Magnavox
Amplifier	Magnavox
Transformer	Magnavox
Solenoid	Magnavox
Box	Mar-Velo Products Co.
Box	Mar-Velo Products Co.
Trundle Toy (Automobile)	Mattel Fort Wayne
Charger, Battery	Mattel Fort Wayne
Bottle	Maumee Beverage Co.
Bag	Mayflower Mills
Hat	Mergentheims Millinery
Dryer, Hair	Miracle Hair Dryer Co.
Dryer, Hair	Miracle Vac Co.
Reel, Fishing	N. Fries Mach. Works
Iron, Soldering	National Specialties Co.
Miter Guide	National Specialties Co.
Massager, Nerve	Nerve Massage Co.
Reel, Fishing	O. K. Machine Co.
Vacuum	O. K. Machine Co.
Box	Old Country Remedy Co.
Bottle, Whiskey	Old Fort Distilling Co.
Organ	Packard Organ Co.
Organ, Reed	Packard Organ Company
Melodeon	Packard Piano Co.
Piano, Upright	Packard Piano Co.
Propeller	Packard Piano Co.
Organ	Packard Piano Co.
Piano Leg	Packard Piano Co.
Piano, Player	Packard Piano Co.
Piano Bench	Packard Piano Co.
Novelty	Packard Piano Co.
Chair, Folding	Packard Piano Co.
Tin	Parrot Meat Market
Can	Parrot Packing Co.
Box	Perfection Biscuit Co.
Tin	Perfection Biscuit Co.
Can	Perfection Varnish Co.
Spool, Wire	Phelps Dodge Corp.
Bottle	Pinex Co.
Box, Patent Medicine	Pinex Co.
Tin	Pinex Co.
Music, Sheet	Powell C. C.
Measure, Liquid	Progress Medicine Co.
Bottle	Puraq Co.
Bottle, Water	Puraq Co.
Chair, Folding	Rastetter, Louis & Sons
Box, Candy	Raunek, Clara, Chocolates
Spool, Wire	Rea Magnet Wire
Wrapper, Soap	Rub-No-More
Box	Rub-No-More
Box, Soap	Rub-No-More Company
Pants	Rubus, Fort Wayne
Hoop	S & S Enterprises
Ornament, Christmas	Saf-T Santa Co.
Bottle	Scheele, William
Bottle, Pop	Scheele, William
Can	Seyfert Foods
Radio	Slagle Radio Co.
Pillow, Throw	Sorg, Arthur
Speaker	Stark Electrified Pipe Organ
Box, Cigar	Steckbeck Cigar Co.
Box, Cigar	Steckbeck, W.J. & Sons
Bottle	Strasbourg Brewing Company
Bottle	Studers Mineral Water Works
Box, Soap	Summit City Soap Works
Box	Summit City Soap Works
Spool, Wire	Superior Essex
Pants	Theime Bros.
Stocking	Theme Hosiery
Socks	Theme Hosiery
Stool, Step	Toidey Company
Toilet, Childs	Toidey Company
Pump, Fuel	Tokheim Corporation
Repellant	Twee Chemical Co.
Box	Wayne Candies
Box	Wayne Egg Mash
Stocking	Wayne Knitting Mills
Pump	Wayne Oil Tank Co.
Bottle	Wayne Pharmacal Supply Co.
Bottle, Medicine	Wayne Pharmacal Supply Co.
Jar	Wayne Pride
Can	Wilkens Bros.
Piston	Zollner Corporation
Pin, Piston	Zollner Corporation
Rings, Retainer	Zollner Corporation